No lounge will suffice in ‘94 — My second daughter was born in 1994, and some time later, we had a palm reader give both daughters’ hands a good look-see. For our oldest, the visionary said, “She’s wise beyond her years.” And for the younger, the woman dropped that little hand, looked up at us and almost…

My first real Independence Day was a musical revolution led by my father and the ghost of a guitar god. — I’m the child of hippies. Counter-culture, flowingly-bearded, long hair parted down the middle, love children from the Midwest. …

“Friends In Low Places” tells us getting over it just requires a few friends and a few drinks — In 1975, David Allan Coe wrote the perfect country song. Well, technically it was Steve Goodman, but the song “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” was released that year by Mr. Coe to mild radio acclaim. …

Of being so very happy — You should know before you invest much time in any new potential lover, that if they’re already seeing someone and go on the flirt in such a heavy handed way with you, nothing will be fair in love and heartache. Maybe you do know, but I sure as crap didn’t. …

No Cigarettes, No Sleep, No Light, No Sound — 1. The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” was written by ’50s rocker A. Del Shannon B. Phil Everly C. Roy Orbison D. Gene Pitney 2. In 1970 the Four Tops recorded in London with this British group A. Moody Blues B. Rolling Stones C. Small Faces D. Pink Floyd …

The fecund and creative machinery of permanent sadness — Why does everything make more sense when it comes from isolation and lonely places, if not drugs and narcotics? Why do we love the voice of our favorite musicians more as they delve deeper into anti-depressants? …

Another eclectic selection from a diverse range of artists — 55. Brother, can you spare a dime? by Bing Crosby Those of us who remember an elderly Bing Crosby crooning his way through American standards in the early 1970s wearing a pullover possibly overlook that he was once a capable and melodic vocalist across a range of styling from jazz to country. This 1932 recording of the depression-era song was…

Kermit is not just a frog — Earlier in the year, Ethan at Critical Country did a series of five splendid articles based on music connected with US National Parks. I know Ethan is busy right now with his photography and learning guitar, but maybe he’ll come back and write more stories about his love of country…